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American Countess

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American Countess
History
Name
  • Kanesville Queen (1995–2016)
  • American Countess (2020–present)
Owner
OperatorAmerican Cruise Lines
Port of registryLouisville, Kentucky, USA
Launched1995
Identification
General characteristics
Length318 ft (97 m)
Beam79 ft (24 m)
Decks4
PropulsionPaddlewheel and Z-drive (diesel electric)[1]
Capacity245 passengers[2]

American Countess is a river cruise paddlewheeler owned by American Cruise Lines.

Kanesville Queen (1995-2016)

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The casino boat Kanesville Queen was originally constructed for Harrah's Entertainment in Council Bluffs, Iowa and opened to the public on New Year's Day of 1996.[3] In 2007, Iowa law was changed to allow casinos to operate fully onshore.[4] After the revision of the law, Harrah's officials stated that the river vessel was no longer needed at their Council Bluffs casino and estimated it would save the company $2 million annually to retire the boat.[5] In 2013, Kanesville Queen was sold as scrap to Newt Marine of Dubuque, Iowa.[6]

Kanesville Queen (left) abandoned in Dubuque, IA along with Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino II (right) in 2016

Introduction as American Countess

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Purchased by American Queen Steamboat Company in 2016, the dormant vessel was eventually brought to Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma, Louisiana to be cut in half and extended with a new 60-foot midsection in order to increase passenger capacity.[7]

A view of the stern of American Countess docked in Louisville

After many delays, the American Countess was finally launched on March 21, 2021, in New Orleans.[8] The launch followed almost four years after the launch of American Duchess, another former Iowa casino boat that had been converted into an overnight cruise vessel by the same company.[9]

In February 2024, American Queen Voyages ceased operations. American Countess was purchased by American Cruise Lines for $1.6 million.[10] It is to be scrapped without further use.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "American Countess completes successful sea trial". Work Boat.
  2. ^ "American Queen Voyages American Countess Information". Travel Weekly.
  3. ^ "Kanesville Queen Leaves Harrah's After 17 Years on the River". Daily Nonpareil.
  4. ^ "Iowa reviews water-based casino rule". Quad-City Times.
  5. ^ Miller, Kermit. "Odds are against casino boat's survival". KRCG.
  6. ^ "Former riverboat casino in Jefferson City to be scrapped (VIDEO)". News Tribune.
  7. ^ "New riverboat passes sea trials, set for April cruise". KMTV Omaha.
  8. ^ "American Countess launched in New Orleans". Travel Weekly.
  9. ^ Sloan, Gene. "New Mississippi riverboat American Duchess christened in New Orleans". USA Today.
  10. ^ "American Cruise Lines finalizes purchase of American Queen boats". Vicksburg Post.
  11. ^ American Cruise Ships Monthly July 2024 page 12